Vehicle body structure

ABSTRACT

A vehicle body structure includes a bumper fascia panel, a fender body panel and a mounting flange attachment arrangement. The fascia panel includes a fascia mounting flange forming a first outboard abutment edge visible from an exterior of the vehicle body structure. The fender body panel includes a fender mounting flange forming a second outboard abutment edge visible from the exterior. The mounting flange attachment arrangement includes first and second fastening members overlying the fascia and fender mounting flanges, respectively, and a fastening element coupling the first and second fastening members together while sandwiching the mounting flanges. The fastening element has a tool engagement portion at a first end on an inboard side of the attachment arrangement and a second end opposite to the first end, with a center fastening axis extending from the second to first end in an upward direction of the vehicle body structure.

BACKGROUND

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention generally relates to a vehicle body structure.More specifically, the present invention relates to a vehicle bodystructure including an attachment arrangement for coupling a bumperfascia panel and a fender body panel together.

2. Background Information

For many years, automotive vehicles have been provided with front andrear bumpers to cushion the vehicle in the event of an impact. Also, formany years, automotive vehicles have been provided with numerous bodyand/or fascia panels coupled thereto to form the outer shell of thevehicle body. In recent years, it has been desirable to make vehicleswith a smooth exterior shape, in which the bumpers are integrated withthe overall shape of the vehicle body. Thus, in recent years, bumpershave often been provided with a bumper fascia panel mounted to thebumper that extends across the bumper and wraps around the corners ofthe bumper. Fender panels are often attached to the ends of the bumperfascia panels in a relatively smooth manner to integrate the bumpersinto the overall outer shape of the vehicle body.

In a larger vehicle, such as SUVs, the bumper fascia panels may belarger and heavier than bumper fascia panels for smaller vehicles, suchas automobiles. Furthermore, because the fender body panels of SUVs aretypically higher than fender body panels in automobiles, installation ofbumper fascia panels in SUVs may be more difficult than in automobiles.Also, a larger bumper fascia panel may be mounted to the frame of thelarger vehicle at a distance that is larger than a distance at which asmaller bumper fascia panel is mounted to the frame of a smallervehicle. This may cause the bumper fascia panel to sag over time due tomaterial fatigue.

In view of the above, it will be apparent to those skilled in the artfrom this disclosure that there exists a need for an improved vehiclebody structure. This invention addresses this need in the art as well asother needs, which will become apparent to those skilled in the art fromthis disclosure.

SUMMARY

Accordingly, in view of the state of the known technology, one aspect ofthe present invention is to provide a vehicle body structure comprisinga bumper fascia panel, a fender body panel and a mounting flangeattachment arrangement. The bumper fascia panel includes a bumper fasciamounting flange extending from an outboard bumper fascia surface at anangle to form a first outboard abutment edge between the outboard bumperfascia surface and the bumper fascia mounting flange such that the firstoutboard abutment edge is visible from an exterior view of the vehiclebody structure. The fender body panel includes a fender mounting flangeextending from an outboard fender surface at an angle to form a secondoutboard abutment edge between the outboard fender surface and thefender mounting flange such that the second outboard abutment edge isvisible from the exterior view of the vehicle body structure. Themounting flange attachment arrangement includes a first fastening memberoverlying the bumper fascia mounting flange, a second fastening memberoverlying the fender mounting flange and a fastening element couplingthe first and second fastening members together with the bumper fasciamounting flange and the fender mounting flange being sandwiched betweenthe first and second fastening members. The fastening element has afirst end including a tool engagement portion located on an inboard sideof the mounting flange attachment arrangement and a second end locatedopposite to the first end, with a center fastening axis of the fasteningelement extending from the second end toward the first end in an upwarddirection of the vehicle body structure.

These and other objects, features, aspects and advantages of the presentinvention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from thefollowing detailed description, which, taken in conjunction with theannexed drawings, discloses a preferred embodiment of the presentinvention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Referring now to the attached drawings which form a part of thisoriginal disclosure:

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a vehicle equipped with a vehiclefront end body structure having a fascia support bracket for supportinga bumper fascia panel, and a mounting flange attachment arrangement forcoupling the bumper fascia panel to fender body panels in accordancewith a disclosed embodiment;

FIG. 2 is a partial front perspective view of selected parts of thevehicle body structure illustrated in FIG. 1 including the bumper fasciapanel and the front fender body panels;

FIG. 3 is an exploded front perspective view of selected parts of thevehicle body structure illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2;

FIG. 4 is an exploded partial rear perspective view of selected parts ofthe left side of the vehicle body structure illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 3;

FIG. 5 is a rear perspective view of selected parts of the left side ofthe vehicle body structure illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 3, showing thebumper fascia panel assembled to the fascia support bracket;

FIG. 6 is a rear perspective view of selected parts of the left side ofthe vehicle body structure illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 3, showing thebumper fascia panel assembled to the fascia support bracket and a flangeof the left fender body panel abutted against a flange of the bumperfascia panel;

FIG. 7 is a rear perspective view of selected parts of the left side ofthe vehicle body structure illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 3, showing thebumper fascia panel assembled to the fascia support bracket, a flange ofthe left fender body panel abutted against a flange of the bumper fasciapanel and a fender attachment bracket supported by supports on thefascia support bracket;

FIG. 8 is a partially exploded top plan view showing the bumper fasciapanel removed from the fascia support bracket at the left side of thevehicle body structure illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 3;

FIG. 9 is a detailed view of a portion of the fascia support bracket atthe upper left side of the vehicle body structure illustrated in FIGS. 1to 3;

FIG. 10 is a detailed view of a portion of the fascia support bracket atthe left side of the vehicle body structure illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 3;

FIG. 11 is a detailed front perspective view of the lamp area at thefront left side of the vehicle body structure illustrated in FIGS. 1 to3;

FIG. 12 is another detailed front perspective view of the lamp area atthe front left side of the vehicle body structure shown in FIG. 11;

FIG. 13 is a further detailed front perspective view of the lamp area atthe front left side of the vehicle body structure shown in FIG. 11;

FIG. 14 is a detailed elevational view of one side of the fenderattachment bracket that is attached at the left side of the vehicle bodystructure illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 3;

FIG. 15 is a detailed perspective view of another side of the fenderattachment bracket opposite to the side of the fender attachment bracketshown in FIG. 14;

FIG. 16 is a detailed elevational view of the side of the fenderattachment bracket shown in FIG. 15;

FIG. 17 is a top plan view of the fender attachment bracket shown inFIGS. 14 to 16;

FIG. 18 is a detailed front perspective view of the bumper fascia panelsupport bracket at the front left side of the vehicle body structureshown in FIGS. 1 to 3;

FIG. 19 is a top plan view of the bumper fascia panel support bracketshown in FIG. 18;

FIG. 20 is a bottom plan view of the bumper fascia panel support bracketshown in FIG. 18; and

FIG. 21 is a rear elevational view of the bumper fascia panel supportbracket shown in FIG. 18.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Selected embodiments will now be explained with reference to thedrawings. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art from thisdisclosure that the following descriptions of the embodiments areprovided for illustration only and not for the purpose of limiting theinvention as defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

Referring initially to FIGS. 1-3, an automotive vehicle 10 isillustrated with a vehicle front end body structure 12 in accordancewith one embodiment. The vehicle 10 can be, for example, an SUV, anautomobile, a truck, a van or any other suitable vehicle. The vehicle 10is conventional, except for the vehicle front end body structure 12 asdescribed herein. Accordingly, the vehicle 10 and its various parts willnot be discussed and/or illustrated in detail herein, except as relatedto the vehicle front end body structure 12.

As illustrated, the vehicle front end body structure 12 basicallyincludes a bumper fascia panel 14, a pair of fender body panels 16 and apair of mounting flange attachment arrangements 18 (only one shown). Themounting flange attachment arrangements 18 are used to securely fastenupper parts of the bumper fascia panel 14 to the fender body panels 16such that the bumper fascia panel 14 mates with the fender body panels16 to form smooth seams therebetween (e.g., a high level of fit andfinish). The flange attachment arrangements 18 also assist in stiffeningthe upper parts of the bumper fascia panel 14 as discussed below.

The fender body panels 16 are preferably mirror images of each other.Thus, only one of the fender body panels 16 (the left or “driver's side”fender body panel 16) will be discussed in detail herein. However, itwill be apparent to those skilled in the automotive art from thisdisclosure that the descriptions and illustrations of the fender bodypanel 16 apply to both of the fender body panels 16. Furthermore, itwill be apparent to those skilled in the automotive art from thisdisclosure that the fender body panels 16 are attached to the mountingflange attachment arrangements 18 in identical manners, except they areattached in mirror image configurations. Also, the left and rightmounting flange attachment arrangements 18 are identical to each other,but for being mirror images of each other. Thus, only the left mountingflange attachment arrangements 18 will be discussed in detail herein.

The vehicle front end body structure 12 is configured to be fixedlyattached to a main front bumper member (not shown) of the vehicle 10 toform part of a front bumper structure of the vehicle 10. However, eventhough the vehicle front end body structure 12 is illustrated at thefront of the vehicle 10 in this embodiment, it will be apparent to thoseskilled in the automotive art from this disclosure can applied to therear of a vehicle (i.e. the rear bumper) as needed and/or desired.

The vehicle front end body structure 12 also includes an upper vehiclebumper fascia retainer 20, a pair of fascia support brackets 22 and apair of head lamp units 24 as well as other parts (not shown). The leftand right fascia support brackets 22 and the left and right head lampunits 24 are identical to each other, but for being mirror images ofeach other. Thus, only the left support bracket 22 and the left headlamp unit 24 will be discussed in detail herein.

The upper vehicle bumper fascia retainer 20 can be attached to andsupported by a radiator core support (not shown) that constitutes partof a vehicle front end module that supports the bumper fascia panel 14.Also, the upper vehicle bumper fascia retainer 20 can be attached to andsupported by any other suitable component of the vehicle front end bodystructure 12. The head lamp units 24 are mounted in the vehicle frontend body structure 12 in a conventional manner, and support therespective support brackets 22 as discussed in more detail below. Also,constructions of the radiator core support, the upper vehicle bumperfascia retainer 20 and the head lamp units 24 vary depending upon thevehicle body styling as well as other design considerations. Thus, theradiator core support, the upper vehicle bumper fascia retainer 20 andthe head lamp units 24 will not be discussed in further detail except asthey relate to the bumper fascia panel 14 and the fascia supportbrackets 22 as described herein.

Basically, as seen in FIGS. 1 and 3, the bumper fascia panel 14 is aone-piece, unitary member formed of a thin, lightweight sheet materialsuch as a rigid plastic material (e.g., a thermoplastic olefinelastomer) or any other suitable material. In any case, the bumperfascia panel 14 should be constructed of a self supporting material witha degree of flexibility such that the bumper fascia panel 14 is flexibleyet maintains its shape. The bumper fascia panel 14 covers a rigidbumper member (not shown). The bumper fascia panel 14 includes anelongated front end fascia section 30 and a pair of side fascia sections32. The front end fascia section 30 is integrally formed with the sidefascia sections 32 as a one-piece member having an inboard surface 34(see, e.g., FIG. 4) and an outboard surface 36. Since the bumper fasciapanel 14 is generally formed of a thin sheet material, the shape of theinboard surface 34 generally follows the shape of the outboard surface36. Typically, the inboard surface 34 and outboard surface 36 can havecurved portions as viewed in transverse cross-section, such that inareas where the inboard surface 34 is concave the outboard surface 36 isconvex and vice-versa.

The side fascia sections 32 are arranged at opposite ends of the frontend fascia section 30 such that the bumper fascia panel 14 has a wide,substantially U-shaped overall profile as viewed from above (FIG. 3).Each side fascia section 32 includes an upper fascia portion 38 and alower fascia portion 40 defining a fascia cutout 42 in the side fasciasection 32. The upper fascia portion 38 extends transverse to the lowerfascia portion 40. The upper fascia portion 38 and the lower fasciaportion 40 at least partially surround a vehicle lamp area 44 in which ahead lamp unit 24 is mounted. The side fascia sections 32 are preferablymirror images of each other. Thus, only one of the side fascia sections32 will be discussed in detail herein. However, it will be apparent tothose skilled in the automotive art from this disclosure that thedescriptions and illustrations apply to both of the side fascia sections32.

As seen in FIGS. 2 and 3, for example, the front end fascia section 30of the bumper fascia panel 14 has an upper transverse mounting flange 46and a lower transverse mounting flange 48. The upper transverse mountingflange 46 is fastened to the upper vehicle bumper fascia retainer 20 viafascia support brackets 22 by a plurality of fasteners (not shown) suchas rivets, screws, bolts and so, on as discussed in more detail below.The lower transverse mounting flange 48 is fastened to a lower vehiclebumper fascia retainer (not shown) by a plurality of fasteners (notshown) such as rivets, screws, bolts and so on. The lower vehicle bumperfascia retainer can be fixedly attached to the lower end of the radiatorcore support (not shown).

As further illustrated, a fascia support bracket 22 includes a front endfascia support 50 and a side fascia support 52. The front end fasciasupport 50 is integrally formed with the side fascia support 52 as aone-piece member. The fascia support bracket 22 can be formed of a rigidmaterial, such as a hard plastic or composite, metal or any othersuitable material. The fascia support bracket 22 can also include aribbed structure 53 (see, e.g., FIGS. 9, 10, 20 and 21) including aplurality of diagonally crossing ribs that provide structuralreinforcement and strength to the fascia support bracket 22. The frontend fascia support 50 is contoured to support the inboard surface 34 ofthe bumper fascia panel 14 along the front end fascia section 30. Also,the front end fascia support 50 of the left fascia support bracket 22and the front end fascia support 50 of the right fascia support bracket22 extend toward each other and are each configured and arranged to beattached to a vehicle body portion as described herein.

Furthermore, the front end fascia support 50 includes a front end moduleattachment structure 54. Accordingly, the upper transverse mountingflange 46 of the front end fascia section 30 and the front end moduleattachment structure 54 can be coupled to the upper vehicle bumperfascia retainer 20 by a plurality of fasteners (not shown) such asrivets, screws, bolts and so on, as understood in the art. The front endfascia support 50 can be coupled to the inboard surface 34 of the frontend fascia section 30 by a plurality of fasteners (not shown) such asrivets, screws, bolts and so on, as understood in the art.

In addition, the fascia support bracket 22 includes a plurality ofprojections 56 that extend outwardly from an outboard surface 58 of thefront end fascia support 50 and the side fascia support 52. Theprojections 56 contact the inboard surface 34 of the bumper fascia panel14 to thus support the bumper fascia panel 14. While the fascia supportbracket 22 is being installed to the inboard surface 34 of the bumperfascia panel 14, the projections 56 can be tuned to account formanufacturing tolerances of the fascia support bracket 22 and the bumperfascia panel 14, to provide optimum contact between the fascia supportbracket 22 and the bumper fascia panel 14.

Also, the bumper fascia panel 14 includes an upper peripheral fasciaedge 60 that defines a portion of a vehicle hood opening 62. Likewise,the fascia support bracket 22 includes an upper peripheral support edge64 that extends past the upper peripheral fascia edge 60 into thevehicle hood opening 62. Accordingly, when the hood 66 of the vehicle 10is closed, the front peripheral edge 68 of the hood 66 aligns with theupper peripheral fascia edge 60 with a high level of fit and finish.

The side fascia support 52 includes an upper support portion 70 that iscontoured to support the inboard surface 34 of the bumper fascia panel14 along the upper fascia portion 38. The side fascia support 52 furtherincludes a lower support portion 72 that is contoured to support theinboard surface 34 of the bumper fascia panel 14 along the lower fasciaportion 40. The upper support portion 70 extends transverse to the lowersupport portion 72. The upper support portion 70 is coupled to theinboard surface 34 of the upper fascia portion 38 and the lower supportportion 72 is coupled to the inboard surface 34 of the lower fasciaportion 40. Also, the upper support portion 70 and the lower supportportion 72 define a support cutout 74 in the side fascia support 52 suchthat the upper support portion 70 and the lower support portion 72 atleast partially surround the vehicle lamp area 44.

That is, the side fascia section 32 has a peripheral edge 76 thatextends along the upper fascia portion 38 and lower fascia portion 40 todefine the fascia cutout 42. Also, the side fascia support 52 has aperipheral edge 78 that extends along the upper support portion 70 andthe lower support portion 72 to define the support cutout 74. Theperipheral edge 76 of the side fascia section 32 and the peripheral edge78 of the side fascia support 52 have a corresponding shape asindicated. Also, the peripheral edge 78 of the side fascia support 52 isdisposed adjacent to the peripheral edge 76 of the side fascia section32.

In addition, the upper support portion 70 includes at least one standoff80 that is configured and arranged relative to the support cutout 74 tocontact a lamp unit support 82 that is mounted in the vehicle lamp area44 such that the lamp unit support 82 supports the upper support portion70 and the upper fascia portion 38. More particularly, the upper supportportion 70 includes a plurality of standoffs 80 that are configured andarranged relative to the support cutout 74. That is, the standoffs 80are spaced from each other along the support cutout 74 to contact thelamp unit support 82 such that the lamp unit support 82 further supportsthe upper support portion 70 and the upper fascia portion 38 as shown,for example, in FIG. 12.

Furthermore, the lower support portion 72 includes an attachmentstructure 84 that is configured and arranged relative to the supportcutout 74 to be attached to the lamp unit support 82 such that the lampunit support 82 supports the lower support portion 72 and the lowerfascia portion 40. In particular, the attachment structure 84 caninclude includes a plurality of attachments 86 that are spaced apartfrom each other and configured and arranged to be attached to respectiveareas of the lamp unit support 82.

In addition, as discussed above, the flange attachment arrangement 18 isused to securely fasten the bumper fascia panel 14 to the fender bodypanels 16. As shown, for example, in FIGS. 3 to 5, the upper fasciaportion 38 of the side fascia section 32 includes a bumper fasciamounting flange 90 extending in an inboard direction to a free edge fromthe outboard surface 36 of the bumper fascia panel 14 at an angle toform an outboard abutment edge 92 (first outboard abutment edge) betweenthe outboard surface 36 and the fascia mounting flange 90. In thisexample, the bumper fascia mounting flange 90 extends generallyperpendicular to the outboard surface 36, but can extend at any suitableangle that can accomplish the mounting features described herein. Theoutboard abutment edge 92 is visible from an exterior view of thevehicle body structure 12.

The fender body panel 16 includes a fender mounting flange 94 thatextends in an inboard direction to a free edge from an outboard fendersurface 96 at an angle to form an outboard abutment edge 98 (secondoutboard abutment edge) between the outboard fender surface 96 and thefender mounting flange 94. In this example, the fender mounting flange94 extends generally perpendicular to the outboard fender surface 96,but can extend at any suitable angle that can accomplish the mountingfeatures described herein. Moreover, since the fender body panel 16 isgenerally formed of a thin sheet material, the shape of the outboardfender surface 96 generally follows the shape of an inboard fendersurface 100. Typically, the outboard fender surface 96 and inboardfender surface 100 can have curved portions as viewed in transversecross-section, such that in areas where the outboard fender surface 96is concave the inboard fender surface 100 is convex and vice-versa.

Thus, the outboard surface 36 of the upper fascia portion 38 mates withthe outboard fender surface 96 of the fender body panel 16 to form asmooth seam 101 therebetween when they are fixedly coupled together byusing the mounting flange attachment arrangement 18. Furthermore, theoutboard abutment edges 92 and 98 are positioned adjacent to each otherand remain visible from the exterior view of the vehicle body structure12.

Therefore, as discussed in more detail below, the bumper fascia mountingflange 90 is configured to couple to a first part of one of the fenderbody panels 16, namely, the fender mounting flange 94. In addition, thelower fascia portion 40 includes a lower fascia mounting flange 102 thatextends to a free edge. The lower fascia mounting flange 102 isconfigured to connect to a second part of one of the fender body panels16, such as a lower fender mounting flange 104, that extends from thefender body panel 16 to a free edge. The lower fascia mounting flange102 is fastened to the second part of one of the fender body panels 16by one or more fasteners (not shown) such as conventional body clips,rivets, bolts, screws and so on.

The fender body panel 16 also includes an exterior head lamp edge 106that at least partially surrounds the vehicle lamp area 44 in which thehead lamp unit 24 is mounted. The fender body panel 16 also defines anexterior hood edge 108 that defines part of the vehicle hood opening 62.In particular, the exterior hood edge 108 meets with the upperperipheral fascia edge 60 to define a portion of the vehicle hoodopening 62. The exterior head lamp edge 106 extends between the fendermounting flange 94 and another free end 110 of the fender body panel 16proximate to the lower fender mounting flange 104. The exterior headlamp edge 106 also joins with the outboard abutment edge 98 to define atleast an upper edge of a head lamp opening that is visible from theexterior view of the vehicle front end body structure 12. The peripheraledge 76 of the side fascia section 32 and the exterior head lamp edge106 of the fender body panel 16 meet together to completely encircle thevehicle lamp area 44. Accordingly, as discussed above, the side fasciasupport 52 engages the lamp unit support 82 on three sides, namely, theupper, lower and front sides, and the exterior head lamp edge 106 of thefender body panel 16 engages the lamp unit support 82 on the rear side.Furthermore, the side fascia support 52 attaches to the fender bodypanel 16 under the headlamp at lower fender mounting flange 104. Thus,this arrangement maintains a constant fit around the lamp unit support82, and improves the fit and finish of the lamp unit 24 to the bumperfascia panel 14. Furthermore, this arrangement of the fascia supportbracket 22 and, in particular, the side fascia support 52 allows forflexible tuning of the area around the head lamp unit 24 for the purposeof energy management. For example, the side fascia support 52 providesadded rigidity in areas surrounding the head lamp unit 24 to improvecustomer feel and enhance relative protection to the head lamp unit 24under low speed impact.

As seen in FIGS. 4 to 6, the bumper fascia mounting flange 90 includes aplurality of mounting apertures or holes 112. Also, the upper supportportion 70 includes a plurality of locating projections 114 that areeach received in a respective mounting hole 112. In addition, the fendermounting flange 94 includes a plurality of mounting apertures or holes116 that correspond to the mounting holes 112. Accordingly, as shown inFIG. 6, for example, the plurality of locating projections 114 are alsoeach received in a respective mounting hole 116. Thus, the mountingholes 112 and 116 and the locating projections 114 cooperate with themounting flange attachment arrangement 18 to provide proper alignmentwith the fender body panel 16 to ensure a reliable connection with asmooth transition between the outboard surfaces of the bumper fasciapanel 14 and the fender body panel 16.

Referring to FIGS. 3 to 9, for example, the mounting flange attachmentarrangement 18 basically includes at least a first fastening memberportion 118 (first fastening member 118) of the upper support portion 70of the side fascia support 52 of the fascia support bracket 22, a fenderattachment bracket 120 (second fastening member 120) and a bolt 122.Thus, the side fascia support 52 includes a support mounting structure,which can include first fastening member 118, that is configured andarranged relative to the bumper fascia mounting flange 90 to couple tothe fender body panel 16 (fender). The first fastening member 118overlies the bumper fascia mounting flange 90. The fender attachmentbracket 120, which can be referred to as a second fastening member 120,overlies the fender mounting flange 94. The bolt 122 can be referred toas at least part of a fastening element that couples the first andsecond fastening members 118 and 120 together with the bumper fasciamounting flange 90 and the fender mounting flange 94 being sandwichedbetween the first and second fastening members 118 and 120.

As further shown, the bolt 122 (fastening element) has a first end 124including a tool engagement portion, such as the head of the bolt 122,that located on an inboard side of the mounting flange attachmentarrangement 18 and a second end located 126 opposite to the first end124. As discussed in more detail below, a center fastening axis A of thefastening element extends from the second end 126 toward the first end124 in an upward direction of the vehicle body structure 12. Thus, themounting flange attachment arrangement 18 can be used in tight areasbecause the fastening axis A is angled relative to the bumper fasciamounting flange 90 and the fender mounting flange 94 so that a tool(e.g., a wrench or bolt driver) can easily engage the head (e.g., a toolengagement portion) of the bolt 122 for tightening the bolt 122. Forexample, the fender body panel 16 on an SUV is typically higher than thefender body panel on an automobile. Because an installer typically willreach over the fender body panel 16 when installing the second fasteningmember 120, the installer may drive the bolt 122 from a position wherethe installer cannot actually see the bolt 122. Accordingly, the angleof the fastening axis A enables an installer to more easily reach thebolt 122 with an installation tool such as a wrench or bolt driver.Furthermore, in the illustrated embodiment, it is not necessary for anythreaded fasteners to extend through the bumper fascia mounting flange90 and the fender mounting flange 94 (i.e., no threaded fasteners areneeded that extend generally perpendicular to the bumper fascia mountingflange 90 and the fender mounting flange 94).

As further shown, the first fastening member 118 includes a flangefastening portion 130 including a surface 132 that overlies the bumperfascia mounting flange 90. When the fender attachment bracket 120(second fastening member 120) is attached to the first fastening member118 using the bolt 122, the flange fastening portion 130 assists inretaining the bumper fascia mounting flange 90 and the fender mountingflange 94 together, with the abutment edge 92 mating with the abutmentedge 98 to align the outboard surface 36 with the outboard fendersurface 96. The locating pins 114 discussed above extend outwardly fromthe flange fastening portion 130. Also, a plurality of contact ribs 134extend from the flange fastening portion 130 and directly contact thebumper fascia mounting flange 90 to apply a clamping force against thebumper fascia mounting flange 90 when the bolt 122 is fully tightened.

In addition to the bolt 122, the fastening element can also include anut 136. As discussed above, the head of the bolt 122 is located at thefirst end 124 of the fastening element on an inboard side of the firstand second fastening members 118 and 120. The nut 136 is installed in anut receiving recess 138 of the upper support portion 70 of the sidefascia support 52 (i.e., in the first fastening member portion 118).Thus, the nut 136 is located at the second end of the fastening element.The nut 136 is arranged to threadedly receive the threaded shaft of thebolt 122. Furthermore, the nut 136 is positioned so that the centerfastening axis A of the fastening element is angled in the inboarddirection of the vehicle front end body structure 12 with respect to thesurface 132 of flange fastening portion 130. Thus, in this example, thenut 136 and the bolt 122 form the fastening element that fixedlyconnects the first and second fastening members 118 and 120 together toretain the bumper fascia mounting flange 90 and the fender mountingflange 94 between the first and second fastening members 118 and 120.

In addition, the first fastening member 118 includes a first support 140that extends outwardly from the flange fastening portion 130 at anoutboard location of the flange fastening portion 130. The first support140 thus defines a first support recess 142. The first fastening member118 also includes a second support 144 that extends outwardly from theflange fastening portion 130 at an inboard location of the flangefastening portion 130. The second support 144 thus defines a firstsupport recess 146. The first and second supports 140 and 144 arediscussed in more detail below.

Further details of the fender attachment bracket 120 (second fasteningmember 120) are shown in FIGS. 4-8 and 14-17. The second fasteningmember 120 basically includes an inboard end 150, an intermediate flangefastening portion 152 and an outboard end 154. A handling tab 155 canextend from the inboard end 150. The handling tab 155 assists inhandling and installation of the second fastening member 120 byproviding a gripping point. The second fastening member 120 ispreferably integrally formed together as a one-piece, unitary memberfrom a lightweight, rigid material such as a plastic material or anyother material that is well known in the automotive art. The secondfastening member 120 overlies the fender mounting flange 94 with thebumper fascia mounting flange 90 and the fender mounting flange 94 beingsandwiched between the first and second fastening members 118 and 120 asdiscussed above.

The second fastening member 120 includes a flange fastening portion 156having a contact face or surface 158 that overlies the fender mountingflange 94 such that the bumper fascia mounting flange 90 and the fendermounting flange 94 are sandwiched between the first and second fasteningmembers 118 and 120 as discussed above. The second fastening member 120further includes a fastener attachment portion 160 that receives thebolt 122 of the fastening element. The fastener attachment portion 160extends in a forward direction of the vehicle body structure 12 from theflange fastening portion 156.

The fastener attachment portion 160 is configured relative to the fendermounting flange 94 such that the center fastening axis A is oriented atan upward angle in the upward direction. The fastener attachment portion160 includes a fastener bore 162 that extends at an angle θ of betweenforty degrees and eighty degrees with respect to the upward direction ofthe vehicle body structure 12. In this example, the fastener bore 162extends at an angle θ of about sixty degrees with respect to the upwarddirection of the vehicle body structure 12. However, the fastener bore162 can extend at any suitable angle that will allow for thefunctionality of the mounting flange attachment arrangement 18 asdiscussed herein.

As shown, in particular, in FIG. 15, the contact surface 158 defines achannel 164 and a locating pin receiving opening 166 through which oneof the locating pins 114 extends. The channel is configured and arrangedrelative to the locating pin receiving opening 166 to receive thelocating pin 114 therein while the second fastening member 120 is beinginstalled to overlie the fender mounting flange 94. In this example, thelocating pin receiving opening 166 receives the locating pin 114 that ispositioned toward the outboard location of the flange fastening portion130 as shown in FIG. 7. The contact surface 158 further defines anotherlocating pin receiving opening 168 through which the other one of thelocating pins 114 extends. In this example, the locating pin receivingopening 168 receives the locating pin 114 that is positioned toward theinboard location of the flange fastening portion 130 as shown in FIG. 7.

As further shown in FIG. 15, the contact face 150 includes a pivotprojection 170 that extends outward from the contact face 150 and thatcontacts the fender mounting flange 94. The pivot projection 170 extendsin the upward direction along the flange fastening portion 156 betweentop and bottom edges 172 and 174, respectively, of the flange fasteningportion 156. When the second fastening member 120 is being mounted tothe first fastening member 118, the outboard end 154 (first end) isreceived in the first support recess 142 of the first support 140. Also,the inboard end 150 (second end) is received in the second supportrecess 146 of the second support 144. Therefore, the first support 140supports the outboard end 154 (first end) of the second fastening member120, and the second support 144 supports the inboard end 150 (secondend) of the second fastening member 120. As a result, the first support140 of the first fastening member 118 limits movement of the first end154 of the second fastening member 120 in a downward direction of thevehicle body structure 12. Thus, the first end 154 of the secondfastening member 120 is free of any type of fastener that requires atool for installation. The second support 144 limits movement of thesecond end 150 of the second fastening member 120 in the downwarddirection of the vehicle body structure 12, which allows the fasteningmember (bolt 122) to be conveniently accessed.

Accordingly, as can be appreciated from FIG. 8, for example, when thefastening element couples the first and second fastening members 118 and120 together (i.e., the bolt 122 is being threaded into the nut 136),the outboard end 154 (first end) of the second fastening member 120 isforced against the first support 140 of the first fastening member 118and away from the fender mounting flange 94. The pivot projection 170therefore creates a lever or fulcrum action of the second fasteningmember 120. An inner surface 176 of the first support 140 limitsmovement of the outboard end 154 (first end) of the second fasteningmember 120 away from the fender mounting flange 94. Accordingly, thesurface 176 acts as a reactive surface while the bolt 122 is beingdriven so that the pivoting action about the pivot projection 170 pushesthe fender mounting flange 94 and bumper fascia mounting flange 90together.

To summarize, when assembling one of the fender body panels 16 to thebumper fascia panel 14, the fascia support bracket 22 can be firstsecured to the bumper fascia panel 14 by rivets, screws, or any othersuitable fastener. Then, the fender body panel 16 is aligned with thebumper fascia panel 14 by inserting the locating projections 114, whichhave already been inserted though the mounting holes 112 in the bumperfascia mounting flange 90, into the mounting holes 116 in the fendermounting flange 94. Next, the fender attachment bracket 120 (secondfastening member 120) is placed in the first and second supports 140 and144 as discussed above. As noted above, the channel 164 enables thesecond fastening member 120 to be more readily maneuvered about thelocating pins 114 without interference from the locating pins 114, sothat the locating pins 114 can be received in the locating pin receivingopenings 166 and 168 in the second fastening member 120. The installercan then drive the bolt 122 as discussed above to sandwich the bumperfascia mounting flange 90 and the fender mounting flange 94 togetherbetween the first and second fastening members 118 and 120. The bolt 122can be present in the fastener bore 162 before the installer places thesecond fastening member 120 in the first and second supports 140 and144. Alternatively, the installer can insert the bolt 122 into thefastener bore 162 after placing the second fastening member 120 in thefirst and second supports 140 and 144. Thus, a single threaded fastener(bolt 122) can be used to secure the bumper fascia panel 14 to thefender body panel 16.

General Interpretation of Terms

In understanding the scope of the present invention, the term“comprising” and its derivatives, as used herein, are intended to beopen ended terms that specify the presence of the stated features,elements, components, groups, integers, and/or steps, but do not excludethe presence of other unstated features, elements, components, groups,integers and/or steps. The foregoing also applies to words havingsimilar meanings such as the terms, “including”, “having” and theirderivatives. Also, the terms “part,” “section,” “portion,” “member” or“element” when used in the singular can have the dual meaning of asingle part or a plurality of parts. Also as used herein to describe theabove embodiment(s), the following directional terms “outboard”,inboard”, “forward”, “rearward”, “above”, “downward”, “vertical”,“horizontal”, “below” and “transverse” as well as any other similardirectional terms refer to those directions of a vehicle equipped withthe present invention. Accordingly, these terms, as utilized to describethe present invention should be interpreted relative to a vehicleequipped with the present invention. The terms of degree such as“generally”, “substantially”, “about” and “approximately” as used hereinmean a reasonable amount of deviation of the modified term such that theend result is not significantly changed. For example, two members thatare angled less than ten degrees apart would be considered “generallyperpendicular”, but two members that are angled more than fifteendegrees apart would not be considered “generally perpendicular”.

While only selected embodiments have been chosen to illustrate thepresent invention, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art fromthis disclosure that various changes and modifications can be madeherein without departing from the scope of the invention as defined inthe appended claims. For example, the size, shape, location ororientation of the various components can be changed as needed and/ordesired. Components that are shown directly connected or contacting eachother can have intermediate structures disposed between them. Thefunctions of one element can be performed by two, and vice versa. Thestructures and functions of one embodiment can be adopted in anotherembodiment. It is not necessary for all advantages to be present in aparticular embodiment at the same time. Every feature which is uniquefrom the prior art, alone or in combination with other features, alsoshould be considered a separate description of further inventions by theapplicant, including the structural and/or functional concepts embodiedby such feature(s). Thus, the foregoing descriptions of the embodimentsaccording to the present invention are provided for illustration only,and not for the purpose of limiting the invention as defined by theappended claims and their equivalents.

1. A vehicle body structure comprising: a bumper fascia panel includinga bumper fascia mounting flange extending from an outboard bumper fasciasurface at an angle to form a first outboard abutment edge between theoutboard bumper fascia surface and the bumper fascia mounting flangesuch that the first outboard abutment edge is visible from an exteriorview of the vehicle body structure; a fender body panel including afender mounting flange extending from an outboard fender surface at anangle to form a second outboard abutment edge between the outboardfender surface and the fender mounting flange such that the secondoutboard abutment edge is visible from the exterior view of the vehiclebody structure; and a mounting flange attachment arrangement having afirst fastening member overlying the bumper fascia mounting flange, asecond fastening member overlying the fender mounting flange and afastening element coupling the first and second fastening memberstogether with the bumper fascia mounting flange and the fender mountingflange being sandwiched between the first and second fastening members,the fastening element having a first end including a tool engagementportion located on an inboard side of the mounting flange attachmentarrangement and a second end located opposite to the first end, with acenter fastening axis of the fastening element extending from the secondend toward the first end in an upward direction of the vehicle bodystructure.
 2. The vehicle body structure according to claim 1, whereinthe second fastening member includes a flange fastening portion thatoverlies the fender mounting flange and a fastener attachment portionthat receives the fastening element, the fastener attachment portionbeing configured relative to the fender mounting flange such that thecenter fastening axis is oriented at an upward angle relative to anupward direction of the vehicle body structure.
 3. The vehicle bodystructure according to claim 2, wherein the fastener attachment portionincludes a fastener bore that extends at an angle of between fortydegrees and eighty degrees with respect to the upward direction of thevehicle body structure.
 4. The vehicle body structure according to claim1, wherein the fastening element includes a bolt and a nut, with a headof the bolt being located at the first end of the fastening element onan inboard side of the first and second fastening members and the nutbeing located at the second end of the fastening element to receive athreaded portion of the bolt therein.
 5. The vehicle body structureaccording to claim 1, wherein the first fastening member includes atleast one locating pin that extends through an aperture of the bumperfascia mounting flange and through a corresponding aperture of thefender mounting flange; and the second fastening member has a contactsurface overlying the fender mounting flange, the contact surfacedefining a channel and a locating pin receiving opening through whichthe locating pin extends, the channel being configured and arrangedrelative to the locating pin receiving opening to receive the locatingpin therein while the second fastening member is being installed tooverlie the fender mounting flange.
 6. The vehicle body structureaccording to claim 5, wherein the first fastening member includes afirst support that supports a first end of the second fastening member,and the second fastening member includes a contact face having a pivotprojection that extends outward from the contact face and that contactsthe fender mounting flange such that the first end of the secondfastening member is forced against the first support of the firstfastening member and away from the fender mounting flange as thefastening element couples the first and second fastening memberstogether.
 7. The vehicle body structure according to claim 1, whereinthe first fastening member includes a first support that supports afirst end of the second fastening member, and the second fasteningmember includes a contact face having a pivot projection that extendsoutward from the contact face and that contacts the fender mountingflange such that the first end of the second fastening member is forcedagainst the first support of the first fastening member and away fromthe fender mounting flange as the fastening element couples the firstand second fastening members together.
 8. The vehicle body structureaccording to claim 7, wherein the first support of the first fasteningmember limits movement of the first end of the second fastening memberin a downward direction of the vehicle body structure.
 9. The vehiclebody structure according to claim 8, wherein the first fastening memberincludes a second support that limits movement of a second end of thesecond fastening member in the downward direction of the vehicle bodystructure.
 10. A vehicle body structure comprising: a bumper fasciapanel including a bumper fascia mounting flange extending from anoutboard bumper fascia surface at an angle to form a first outboardabutment edge between the outboard bumper fascia surface and the bumperfascia mounting flange such that the first outboard abutment edge isvisible from an exterior view of the vehicle body structure; a fenderbody panel including a fender mounting flange extending from an outboardfender surface at an angle to form a second outboard abutment edgebetween the outboard fender surface and the fender mounting flange suchthat the second outboard abutment edge is visible from the exterior viewof the vehicle body structure; and a mounting flange attachmentarrangement including: a first fastening member that overlies the bumperfascia mounting flange, the first fastening member including at leastone locating pin that extends through an aperture in the bumper fasciamounting flange and through a corresponding aperture in the fendermounting flange; a second fastening member that has a contact surfaceoverlying the fender mounting flange, the contact surface defining achannel and a locating pin receiving opening through which the locatingpin extends, the channel being configured and arranged relative to thelocating pin receiving opening to receive the locating pin therein whilethe second fastening member is being installed to overlie the fendermounting flange; and a fastening element that couples the first andsecond fastening members together with the bumper fascia mounting flangeand the fender mounting flange being sandwiched between the first andsecond fastening members, the fastening element having a tool engagementportion located on an inboard side of the mounting flange attachment.11. The vehicle body structure according to claim 10, wherein the firstfastening member includes an additional locating pin that extendsthrough an additional aperture in the bumper fascia mounting flange andthrough an additional corresponding aperture in the fender mountingflange; and the second fastening member includes an additional locatingpin receiving opening.
 12. The vehicle body structure according to claim10, wherein the second fastening member includes a flange fasteningportion that overlies the fender mounting flange and a fastenerattachment portion that receives the fastening element, the fastenerattachment portion being configured relative to the fender mountingflange such that a center fastening axis of the fastening element isoriented in an upward direction of the vehicle body structure.
 13. Thevehicle body structure according to claim 12, wherein the fastenerattachment portion includes a fastener bore that extends at an angle ofbetween forty degrees and eighty degrees with respect to the upwarddirection of the vehicle body structure.
 14. The vehicle body structureaccording to claim 12, wherein the fastener attachment portion extendsin a forward direction of the vehicle body structure from the flangefastening portion.
 15. The vehicle body structure according to claim 10,wherein the first fastening member includes a first support thatsupports a first end of the second fastening member, and the secondfastening member includes a contact face having a pivot projection thatextends outward from the contact face and that contacts the fendermounting flange such that the first end of the second fastening memberis forced against the first support of the first fastening member andaway from the fender mounting flange as the fastening element couplesthe first and second fastening members together.
 16. A vehicle bodystructure comprising: a bumper fascia panel including a bumper fasciamounting flange extending from an outboard bumper fascia surface at anangle to form a first outboard abutment edge between the outboard bumperfascia surface and the bumper fascia mounting flange such that the firstoutboard abutment edge is visible from an exterior view of the vehiclebody structure; a fender body panel including a fender mounting flangeextending from an outboard fender surface at an angle to form a secondoutboard abutment edge between the outboard fender surface and thefender mounting flange such that the second outboard abutment edge isvisible from the exterior view of the vehicle body structure; and amounting flange attachment arrangement including a first fasteningmember overlying the bumper fascia mounting flange, a second fasteningmember overlying the fender mounting flange and a fastening elementcoupling the first and second fastening members together with the bumperfascia mounting flange and the fender mounting flange being sandwichedbetween the first and second fastening members, the first fasteningmember including a first support that supports a first end of the secondfastening member, the second fastening member including a contact facehaving a pivot projection that extends outward from the contact face andthat contacts the fender mounting flange such that the first end of thesecond fastening member is forced against the first support of the firstfastening member and away from the fender mounting flange as thefastening element couples the first and second fastening memberstogether.
 17. The vehicle body structure according to claim 16, whereinthe first support of the first fastening member limits movement of thefirst end of the second fastening member in a downward direction of thevehicle body structure.
 18. The vehicle body structure according toclaim 17, wherein the first fastening member includes a second supportthat limits movement of a second end of the second fastening member inthe downward direction of the vehicle body structure.
 19. The vehiclebody structure according to claim 16, wherein the second fasteningmember includes a flange fastening portion that overlies the fendermounting flange and a fastener attachment portion that receives thefastening element, the fastener attachment portion being configuredrelative to the fender mounting flange such that a center fastening axisis oriented at an upward angle relative to an upward direction of thevehicle body structure.
 20. The vehicle body structure according toclaim 16, wherein the first support includes a inner surface that isconfigured to limit movement of the first end of the second fasteningmember in a direction away from the fender mounting flange, such thatthe inner surface is configured to act as a reactive surface whichcauses the second fastening member to pivot about the pivot projectionas the fastening element couples the first and second fastening memberstogether.